ELEMENTS OF SPACE &

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN ( IN LANDSCAPES

& LANDSCAPING )

By: Surashmie Kaalmegh

Faculty in Dept. of Interior Design,

LAD College,

Nagpur

A design -- is an

arrangement,

A way of organizing something

in arts and crafts, even though

we use many different

materials, ------the visual

appearance can be reduced to

(that is what our eye sees &

our brain decodes)

six Elements of design.

They are:-

color,

line,

shape,

value / space,

texture,

form, .

They are what

we organize.They are the tools

Visual Elements

(art elements)

For any art forms

Elements of Design

Line is a mark with greater length than width. Lines can be horizontal,

vertical or diagonal, straight or curved, thick or thin.

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Space is the area between and around objects. The space around

objects is often called negative space; negative space has shape. Space

can also refer to the feeling of depth. Real space is three-dimensional

Shape is a closed line. Shapes can be geometric, like squares and circles; or

organic, like free formed shapes or natural shapes. Shapes are flat and can

express length and width.

Form are three-dimensional shapes, expressing length, width, and depth.

Balls, cylinders, boxes and triangles etc are forms .

Color is light reflected off objects. Color has three main characteristics: hue

or its name (red, green, blue, etc.), value (how light or dark it is), & intensity ( hot,

bright or dull)

Texture is the surface quality that can be seen and felt. Textures can be

rough or smooth, soft or hard.

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Elements –

the basic visual

material with which to

make art..……

Principles –

ways to work with &

arrange elements ……

The principles of design

are how we organize or use the tools.

Principles of Design:

Ways to Enhance Usability, Influence Perception,

Increase Appeal, Make Better Design Decisions,

and Teach Through Design

The principles of design are :-

emphasis,

balance,

movement,

pattern,

proportion,

repetition,

rhythm,

variety,

unity.

1. Emphasis & Subordination Establishing centers of interest

which focus the viewer’s attention.

If all the elements are given relatively

equal weight, there will be no emphasis.

An area can be made to stand out by

contrasting it with other areas having

different size, color, texture, shape,

etc.

Views and focal points direct the eye to

different distances and draw people

through the garden. The best view

may even be beyond the garden itself,

or it could be from the house into the

garden. A focal point can be a beautiful

palm, a pond, a beautiful pot, or a statue.

2. Balance is the consideration of

visual weight and

importance. It is a way

to compare the right

and left side of a

composition.

symmetrical balance

often looks more stiff and

formal, sometimes it is

called formal balance.

Asymmetrical balance

symmetrical.

Radial balance compositions, it is like a daisy

or sunflower with everything

arranged around a center

Balance can be achieved

through symmetry

in a formal garden (features

on one side of

an axis are mirror images of

those

on the other side) or by

asymmetry

(different features provide

balance

on each side of an axis,

such as a path).

3. Directional Forces / movement

Both implied and actual, they help guide

the eye and mind movement of the viewer.

They can also bind the work into a single entity.

Movement is the path the viewer’s eye

takes through the artwork, often to

focal areas. Such movement can be

directed along lines edges, shape and

color within the artwork.

Transition is handled with elements arranged

in logical order so that the viewer's eye is

drawn along. The draw might be a distant

view outside the actual garden, or it could

be changing textures, forms and size of

leaves and plants along a path.

4. Pattern is the repeating of an

object or symbol all over the artwork.

Order is established through the

overall

framework of the design, as well

as

through its parts, such as trees

and

built structures. These are often

aligned

along a central axis such as a

view or walk.

5. Scale & proportion

The real, apparent size of an object seen in relation to other objects, people, its environment, or the proportions of the picture plane. --- Proportion

The size relationship of parts to the entire work, and each to the other. Very often associated with figural art.

when all parts (sizes, amounts,

or number) relate well with each other

Proportion is how the sizes of the

various elements of the design relate

to each other. Ideally, no element –

tree, shrub, pathway, or fence

– seem too large or too small compared

with others

6.Repetition Repetition works with pattern to make

the artwork seem active. The repetition of elements of design creates unity

within the artwork.

The recurrence of a design element coupled with a certain order to the

repetition. Provides continuity, flow, direction forces etc.

7. Rhythm

is created when one or more elements

of design are used repeatedly to create

a feeling of organized movement. Rhythm creates a mood like music or dancing.

Rhythm is created from a sense

of motion as the viewer is led along,

seeing various parts of the garden

in sequence. To make the garden change

and move, elements such as paving or

wall surfaces can be repeated,

alternated, or inverted, or be

used in different sizes or colors.

8. Variety is essential to keep rhythm exciting and active,

moving the viewer around the artwork.

Variety is the use of several elements of design to hold the viewer’s attention and to guide the viewer’s eye through the artwork

9. Unity is The force operating within a work of art which can give it the

appearance of oneness or resolution. The consistency of the concept.

Unity is the feeling of harmony between all parts of the artwork creating a sense of completeness.

Unity gives a garden consistency.

All the parts look as if they were meant to

be together, and no one plant, structure,

or feature dominates, unless it is intended as a focal point.

Contrast

Interaction of

contradictory elements.

Expresses the duality

seen in opposites.

Examples: Large &

Small, rough & smooth,

thick & thin, light & dark,

organic & geometric

The spatial context

Landscapes & Gardens

The spatial elements The four

vertical planes

The overhead plane

•The ground

Plane

WALLS

ROOFS

FLOORS

THE GROUND PLANE :

THE GROUND PLANE :

THE GROUND PLANE :

THE GROUND PLANE :

THE GROUND PLANE :

THE GROUND PLANE :

THE GROUND PLANE :

THE GROUND PLANE :

THE GROUND PLANE :

THE GROUND PLANE :

THE VERTICAL PLANE :

THE VERTICAL PLANE :

THE VERTICAL PLANE :

THE VERTICAL PLANE :

THE VERTICAL PLANE :

THE VERTICAL PLANE :

THE OVERHEAD PLANE :

THE OVERHEAD PLANE :

THE OVERHEAD PLANE :

THE OVERHEAD PLANE :

THE OVERHEAD PLANE :

references

http://www.elline.blogspot.com

http://www.ehow.com

http://www.lawnmania.com

http://www.esortment.com

http://www.kwikkerb.org

http://En.wikipedia.org

http://www.dondn.com

www.santafe.edu